Busy hands: finding light in Winter’s dark days

Are you getting tired of me telling you about how the days have been dark, rainy, and cold lately? Well, I’m certainly getting tired of writing about it. I know there are still some February days left on the calendar, but I’m ready to turn the page to March so that I can officially begin anticipating Spring.

We’re getting a bit stir crazy having to stay indoors and cabin fever? Well, we’re doing our best with Legos, games, puzzles, good books, and art projects … but sometimes it still sinks in.

I’m handling my Winter blues by keeping my hands busy. Well, okay, with four children my hands are usually pretty busy, but I’m specifically talking about reading and crafting.

Books to take my mind to places other than the frozen world outside my door (avoiding anything beginning with the phrase, “it was a dark and stormy night”) and some knitting handwork because playing with yarn in bright colors is doing me a world of good these days.

What I’m reading

Later this week, for Read Across America day on Friday, I’m going to share with you what my kids have been reading. But what book has my nose been buried in?

The book is Mei-Ling Hopgood’s observations mixed in with interviews with anthropologists, child care experts, and educators and it makes a nice mix, giving an interesting snapshot of parenting around the globe.

I have loved learning some tidbits about parenting around the world. I purchased the kindle edition and this book has been nice reading for those times when I want something entertaining and fun, but not too emotional or intense.

What I’m creating

Look! The tunic top is growing!

As Lucy told me, “good job, mom! That’s starting to look like something!” A high compliment from a four year old.

Being able to knit with some bright happy Spring-like pinks and greens is helping to combat the Winter doldrums and these rainy end of February days.

Now, has anyone seen my seed catalogs? I’ve got some Spring dreaming to do …

Kara Fleck is the editor of Simple Kids. She is a small town mama, writer, knitter, bookworm, and hooligan. Kara lives in Indiana with her husband Christopher and their four children Jillian, Max, Lucy, and Amelia. You can find more of her writing at KElizabethFleck.com.

Comments

Kara, I took the latest snowstorm to be a direct reprimand to me to not start getting gardening giddy too soon. (I had my coldframe shoveled out for early spinach!)
The tunic is beautiful!
Our antidote to winter dragging on is to get out in it. With snowball fights, snowshoeing, snowfort making and skiing. NOthing like activity to shift your mood around!Sarah @ Fit Family Together´s latest post: Snowshoe And Enjoy The Deep Snow!

Thanks, Sarah!
I wish we would get snow again. If we had snow, we’d be right out there in it. Instead, here in Indiana we’ve had almost a week now of just rain, rain, and more freezing rain. Maybe that’s the reason behind my mood? It isn’t quite Spring but it isn’t Winter either, at least by the weather we’re having.

Oh Kara, that tunic top is going to be the cutest thing! The yarn really compliments it. Are you using 2 different colors?
I am happy March is almost here but not quite sure I am ready for the 24/7 rain that comes with it here in Oregon.
Thanks for linking up with Keep Calm Craft On!!Nicole Spring´s latest post: Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}

Thanks, Nicole!
I am using two different yarns: one a cotton color-changing yarn in pinks to olive green and one is just pink. I’m using the solid pink on the garter stitch details and then letting the colors changes for the body of the tunic. I hope she’ll get a lot of use out of it, I’m certainly having fun making it

Rain is what we’ve been having here and I wouldn’t wish a solid month of it on anyone!

I too am so ready for spring. One day it is warm and sunny another one is snowing/sleeting. My twenty month old had bronchitis in January and just started another bout of it. I feel bad for her and me too sometimes:)
Are there particular seed magazines you like?

Yes, spring cannot come soon enough! I am ready for the snow to melt, and for warm sun, and open windows! I am still working on a shawl for my niece, but it is almost finished! I hope to find some cute animal patterns for my kids and Easter…but since I don’t crochet and I need something for knitters, I’m not sure I will find anything!Heather´s latest post: Greenwoman Magazine: A Literary Garden Review & Giveaway

That tunic is seriously super cute. We have great weather here in Cali but there are still days when we’re housebound and I know what you mean about cabin fever. Hopefully the dreariness passes quickly for you!Nina´s latest post: 5 reasons why I suck at being a mom sometimes

Notice some posts with missing images? Things not quite right? The dust is still settling about as I get the blog up and running again. I'm working to fix images and broken links as quickly as I'm able. Thanks for your patience! - Kara